Lexus Heats up L.A. Auto Show With Sriracha IS Show Car

One-off celebrates popular hot sauce

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The Lexus IS sedan is getting a face-lift for 2017, and to remind people that’s happening, Lexus went with an unusual partner to create a one-off show car. The Lexus Sriracha IS aims to show how spicy the IS has become with its refreshed look, featuring a unique color scheme and little details that pay tribute to the beloved hot sauce brand.

Lexus and Sriracha parent company Huy Fong Foods commissioned West Coast Customs to build the special IS, and shot a behind-the-scenes film titled “Sriracha in Everything” (below). The car receives a custom Sriracha Red paint with chili pepper-like flakes and green accents. A liquid meant to resemble Sriracha was cast in resin and formed into the steering wheel, which is marked “Caution: Hot Handling.” Of course, the HVAC system replaces hot settings with “Sriracha hot,” and the seat heater button is now red and depicts a seat on fire. Meanwhile, Sport mode is swapped out for Sriracha mode, though the mode’s tuning remains the same. The seats are embroidered with the Huy Fong rooster logo, and get red and green accents. Sriracha badges adorn the sides, rear, and door wells, and the rocker panels have illuminated Sriracha kickplates. To show off the new IS’ cargo capacity, the trunk is stocked with 43 bottles of Sriracha. If you need the garlic-heavy hot sauce on the go, the key fob dispenses Sriracha at the press of the emergency chili button.

Lexus may not have anything significant to show this year in L.A., but its Sriracha-themed show car was just weird enough to still get the brand some play in the auto news cycle. It also makes us hungry for Asian food.